I woke up to find Crash Out and two other masked warlocks looming over me. Crash Out had a bucket of water in his hand, droplets still clinging to the rim. “You were stretched out on the floor, yelling and screaming at someone with your eyes rolling back,” he said, his voice half-concerned, half-amused.
“I fainted from being overwhelmed,” I muttered.
They helped me to my feet. “Where is War? I need to see him,” I croaked, still dizzy.
“War’s in the city—Baltimore, not our city,” one of the masked warlocks mumbled. “He’ll be back after he cools off, probably linking up with his human homie Jay and some dime pieces to take the edge off.”
Crash Out shot him a glare. “What are you dry snitching for?”
“What? It’s not like this is some serious relationship. He only got her here because of that wand Azarion made for his old bed warmer,” the warlock replied.
“Civil, please shut the hell up, bro,” Crash Out snapped.
Civil pulled his mask down, revealing half his face etched with witch markings, one white eye gleaming, and a mouth full of gold teeth engraved with more sigils. He was easy on the eyes too—skin dark and rich, beard trimmed sharp. If memory served, judging by his build, he was one of the ones who fought with War, Crash Out, and Grim to take down the ogres.
“This is my cousin. He don’t talk much, but when he does, it’s too much,” Crash Out said with a smirk.
“Does Hex13 practice incest? It seems like everyone is related here,” I asked, watching their faces twist in offense.
“Hellllll no. Hex13 is an all male clan. Civil’s father and my father were brothers. Why’d you ask that? That’s what’s going on in Charmden?” Crash Out shot back.
“Clover wasn’t a male,” I replied.
“That was before Azarion started Hex13 and she’s the reason why he wanted no females in his clan. She was an distraction,” Crash Out responded.
“Your people must’ve partaken in that kind of shame. I was just wondering why some of the warriors looked a little too magically inclined in the face,” Civil added, arms crossed as he stared at me like I was a child.
“I don’t know why I asked. I’m just tired,” I mumbled.
Civil’s gaze sharpened. “We heard you talking in your sleep. Did you see Hoax? And if you did, where was he?”
“It was just a dream,” I lied, trying to keep my nerves in check. Surrounded by three tall, lethal assassins with no magic to protect me, my anxiety spiked, but I forced myself to keep calm.
“A lot of our dreams are messages from our ancestors. When you get in tune with your magic, they’ll come more often. I’m not a fairy, but our magic’s got the same elements of earth, wind, air and water. I know what you saw was more than a dream,” Civil said.
The third warrior pulled down his mask, and I nearly jumped—half his face was sculpted from metal, witch symbols glowing faintly along the edges. He looked like something War had created from a machine. “Sorry about that. Had half my body ripped apart in battle,” he said, his deep voice sounding as if it hurt to speak.
“This is my big brother, Steel. We usually don’t introduce ourselves, but hopefully you can trust us and tell us what’s going on with you,” Crash Out said. I couldn’t see the family resemblance through all the reconstruction.
“Sin says he’s my brother. I don’t believe him unless it comes from War,” I replied, my voice tight.
“Hoax’s son, your fiancé?” Civil asked, eyes wide.
“Yes. We’re supposedly twins,” I said, and they all gasped.
“You fucked your brother and you want War to find out? Listen here, hummingbird. War believes in ancient tradition. You and your black Ken doll looking fiancé would be put to death,” Crash Out said, shaking his head.
“I’ll find War myself. Can you open the portal and get this cuff off my neck?” I demanded, tugging at the cold metal.
“We can’t do that. You’re technically still a prisoner, even if you’re not in the dungeon,” Civil replied, unmoved.
“Are you serious? War said I’m his wife!” I shouted, frustration boiling over.
“Not in a traditional way. More like you’re chained to him type of bondage,” Steel replied, his metal face catching the light.
“O…M…Fucking G! This is nuts. Wives should have some type of authority,” I snapped.
“Not here. Only outside this realm, and even then, that’s up to War. Now, we’re escorting you to your friends,” Steel said, motioning for me to move.
